Unit dosage forms for the treatment of herpes simplex

ABSTRACT

The components of this invention are chosen because of their complementarity for the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by the herpes simplex virus. L-Lysine favorably increases the physiologic immunomodulation necessary for defense against this virus. Zinc improves and maintains a normal immune response. 2-Deoxy-2-D-glucose and heparin sodium alter the surface interaction between the herpes virus and the cell, preventing fusion and infectivity. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine increases glutathione levels thereby creating a thiol redox barrier to the virus at the cell membrane. Quercetin reduces intracellular replication of the herpes virus and viral infectivity. Ascorbate, in concert with copper and D-α-tocopherol, provides an antioxidant defense against the herpes virus, which tends to lose latency during period of oxidative, free radical excess. Selenium and quercetin also participate in reducing various oxidative stresses. Together the components of this invention provide the potential for improved resistance to, improved recovery from, and a decreased frequency of recurrence of herpes simplex virus infection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/101,308, filed Sep. 21, 1998, and claims all benefits legallyavailable therefrom. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/101,308 ishereby incorporated by reference for all purposes capable of beingserved thereby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of pharmacology, and relates specificallyto the pharmacological treatment of conditions associated with herpessimplex virus infections.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Herpes Simplex—the Virus

No human virus is considered normal flora; although some viruses may bemore or less symptomatic, unlike bacteria none can be considerednon-pathogenic. And because the viral life cycle is played out within ahost cell, the membrane and molecular function of the target eukaryocyteand the biological life cycle of the invasive virion are inextricablyentwined.

Viruses may be grouped in a variety of ways; perhaps most simply byconsidering five elements:

1) Method of entry into the host.

2) Extent of spread in the host.

3) Mode of spread within the host.

4) The host tissue targeted.

5) The fate of the virus after host recovery.

According to this admittedly simple list of characteristics, herpessimplex virus (HSV), Herpesviridae, Simplexvirus, enters the host bydirect contact, is spread to a target tissue only, spreads within thehost via neuronal axonal flow, targets the dorsal root ganglia and afterrecovery of the host from an acute infection, remains latent in thetargeted tissue.

The HSV virion is a large (100 to 150 mγ), enveloped virus with anicosahedral capsid. It has double strand DNA with a genome that encodesat least 70 polypeptides—this large amount of regulatory informationpermits the virus to control its own gene expression and elegantly tomodify multiple complex events within the infected cell.

The invading virion binds to host cell receptors. A primary binding siteis host cell surface heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan, which binds withthe V3 loop of the viral envelope glycoprotein (gp 120). Another primarybinding site may be chondroitin sulfate. Mediated by viral glycoproteingB and following nonspecific primary binding, more specific bindingoccurs to the gC4 and gD4 viral surface glycoproteins. The virionenvelope fuses with the plasma membrane of the host cell. The capsid isuncoated, the virus invasively inserts surface glycoprotein gB throughthe host cell plasma membrane and enters the host nucleus where viralDNA is transcribed and processed into mature mRNA; at the same time,host cell mRNA synthesis is inhibited. Invading HSV also inhibits hostcell DNA synthesis while viral DNA replicates within the host nucleus.The viral DNA combines with newly formed HSV capsid proteins translatedin the cytoplasm, and assembles into progeny virion particles within thenuclear membrane. Concurrent expression of glycoproteins in the hostplasma envelope stimulates neighboring cells to clump together.Following cell-to-cell contact by binding and fusion of their respectiveplasma envelopes, progeny particles invade clumped, neighboring hostcells directly or by spread following lysis of previously invaded tissuecells or phagocytes and the process repeats itself.

Viral invasion elicits a phagocytic response coupled with typicalphagocytic immune activities—the release of soluble immune mediators(i.e., cytokines) and high respiratory burst responses by activatedphagocytes. These immune responses are themselves detrimental to thehost; not only because of local tissue necrosis from high environmentallevels of free radical release, but also because of the development ofmutant, potentially resistant viral strains secondary to toxic locallevels of activated oxygen and hydroxyl species.

Herpes Simplex—Clinical Expression

The massive disruption by HSV of host cell molecular functions and ofhost cellular structure is manifested clinically as host cellular death,resulting in shallow, painful vesicular ectodermal lesions or byhemorrhagic encephalitic necrosis of the brain. Target tissues for HSVare the skin or mucous membranes usually derived from embryonicectoderm: mouth, skin, vagina, conjunctiva, cornea, etc. The virusenters the host cell by direct mucosal contact or by direct contact ofabraded skin. In the skin the virus replicates in epithelial cells andthen enters local sensory neurons. The virus travels to the dorsal rootganglia via retrograde axonal flow where it establishes permanentresidency. There it establishes latency a state in which the viral lyticgenes are silenced and only the latency locus is transcriptionallyactive. Although latent most of the time, it reactivates intermittently,travels down the sensory nerve and causes vesicular eruptions at or nearthe site of initial invasion. Alternatively the virus may invade the CNSand cause encephalitis.

The rate of seropositivity to HSV varies widely from country to country:

from relatively low in Japan where Herpes simplex Type 1 (HSV-1)seroprevalence for men and women has decreased from 75.3 and 80.6% in1973 to 54.4 and 59.6%, respectively in 1993 and where Herpes simplexType 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence has decreased from 10.2 and 9.9% in 1973to 1.8 and 1.2%, respectively in 1993, to quite high in Africa where alladult study groups have a high HSV-1 seroprevalence of >80%.

HSV infects more than 50% of the adult population, but some infectionsmay be unrecognized. About half of these develop clinical manifestationsof the disease. Its most significant manifestations are keratitis,genital lesions and labial vesicular lesions (“cold sores”).

HSV-1 typically causes herpes keratitis (cornea). This disease isidentified by a typically bizarre dendritic-patterned corneal ulcer thattends to be recurrent and very often leads to scarring with a reductionof vision, sometimes to the level of legal blindness. HSV-1 also causesherpes labialis, peri-orbital, peri-oral, peri-nasal skin eruptions and,in older patients, the virus has been associated with herpes zoster(“shingles”) infection of the upper trunk.

HSV-2 causes the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in theUnited States and visits to physicians for genital herpes simplex virusinfection continue to increase. As many as 30 million Americans areinfected with HSV-2. About half of these carriers are symptomatic. Theclinical manifestations range from mild genital inflammation to severe,very painful, vesicular lesions and ulceration. Systemic involvement inthe most severe cases may include hepatitis. Brain damage and deathoften are the result of HSV-2 acquired by a newborn infant as it passesthrough an infected birth canal.

Once the herpes virus (of either kind) has infected the human body, thevirus is permanently present. This is particularly true for viralinfection of the nerve cells of the dorsal root ganglia that are out ofrange of the immune system. Less commonly, the epithelial basementmembrane may house the latent virus. The virus becomes periodicallyactive when the immune system is depressed or when oxidative stress isincreased, i.e., during illness, after exposure to high intensityultraviolet light, following local tissue trauma, etc.

Although HSV-1 principally causes corneal infections or “cold sores” andHSV-2 most often causes genital herpes, either type can infect thecornea, the mouth and/or the genitals. Similarly although most herpeticocular infections in adults are caused by HSV-1, other more severe andprolonged cases in adults have been shown to be caused by HSV-2.

Herpes Simplex—Current Clinical Treatment

Present treatment rationales are focused upon preventing the fusion ofthe virion envelope with the host cell plasma membrane by negativelyinfluencing host cell membrane receptors or by interfering with theglycosylation of viral protein required for fusion, and by reducingviral replication within the host cell nucleus. More recently someattention has been drawn to the relationship between local levels oftoxic free radicals and antioxidants in the host target cell environmentand apparent target cell resistance to infection following viralreactivation.

A. Ophthalmic Preparations:

1. α-α-α-trifluorothymidine—(Viroptic® 1% solution)—useful in treatingHSV-1 and HSV-2 keratoconjunctivitis, i.e., HSV lesions of theconjunctival and corneal epithelium, but not effective in the treatmentof associated corneal stromal lesions. It acts by interfering withthymidine synthesis in eukaryocytes, normal or infected. Its preciseaction against invading viruses is unknown. Little clinical toxicity isdescribed, but pregnant women should use it with caution. 2.2′-Deoxy-5-idouridine—(Herplex® 0.1% solution)—useful in the treatmentof corneal epithelial infection with HSV-1. The delivered solution isconverted to idoxuridine which replaces DNA thymidine involved in theenzymatic step of viral replication. The resulting structural faults inviral DNA prevent replicative tissue infection. However, idoxuridine isgenerally cytotoxic, crosses the placental barrier and is implicated infetal malformations in rabbits and rats. Pregnant women should use itwith caution.

3. 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine—(Vira-A® 3% ointment—useful in thetreatment of corneal epithelial HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections, but notstromal lesions induced by these viruses. Although the mode of action ofVira-A® is not established, it probably acts by interference with viralDNA synthesis. Embryonic mutogenesis has occurred in male germ cells andmouse embryos.

B. Genital Herpes Preparations:

1. acyclovir—(Zovirax® tablets)—useful in the treatment of HSV-1 andHSV-2 as well as other virus infections. Mode of action appears to beinterference with viral DNA polymerase resulting in prematuretermination of the DNA chain and a reduction of viral replication. Maybe effective in preventing corneal stromal infection if usedprophylactically, but expense (A major pharmaceutical wholesale firm,Henry Schein, list prices which range from $2.34 to $4.58 per tablet.),concerns for general cytotoxity and especially the rapid, irreversibledevelopment of resistant viral strains, limits this routine use. The useof acyclovir results in the emergence of highly resistant virusessometimes with only one pass of therapy. Low rates of teratogenicityhave been found in rats exposed to acyclovir.

Herpes Simplex—Antiviral Agents Under Study

1. 2-deoxy-D-glucose (glucosamine)—Glycosylation inhibitors such as2-deoxy-D-glucose have been shown to retard the appearance and speed theevolution of both HSV-1 and HSV-2. There are several steps in themetabolism of virus-induced cellular surface glycoproteins that induceinfected cell clumping that may be negatively affected by glucosamine.In similar fashion, by inhibiting glycosylation and thereby reducinglevels of surface glycoprotein gD and gB, glucosamine reducesvirion-host cell fusion; fusion is inhibited in the presence of reducedlevels of viral surface glycoprotein carbohydrate. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose hasalso been shown to inhibit viral DNA synthesis (human cytomegalovirus)thus reducing viral replication potentials.

2. L-lysine monohydrochloride—Topical application of L-lysine to theskin of guinea pigs protected the skin from HSV inoculation. It issuggested that LMH exerts an immuno-modulatory effect in the herpessimplex host. More specifically, a study involving 52 subjects indicatesthat oral LMH is an effective agent for the reduction of occurrence,severity and healing time for herpes simplex virus infections. One studyreported that subjective improvement seemed to occur in 88% of herpessimplex patients using L-lysine. However, there are studies in whichL-lysine is reported to be ineffective with daily dosages below about1000 milligrams per day. At least one study found that L-lysine had noeffect on the rate of healing or the appearance of lesions. Theconflicting results obtained for the efficacy of lysine for herpesinfections may be explained by:

1) the great variability of the relative amounts of lysine and argininein diets; and

2) failure to measure the serum lysine concentration. (The latter shouldbe maintained above 165 nmol/mL)

The higher the arginine/lysine ratio in any diet, the greater the riskfor herpes recurrence. Patients with diets high in naturally occurringarginine, such as legumes, whole grains, and nuts, are more vulnerableto herpes simplex recurrence than those whose diets are high in lysine,such as meat and dairy products. The mean daily intakes of lysine andarginine for 16 persons studied were 8.11g±2.28 and 6.32g±1.74,respectively. The standard deviations from the mean intake levels arenotably wide and most likely illustrate the large variability of lysineand arginine intake in individual diets. This widely variable dietaryintake underlines the value of dietary supplementation in counteringherpes simplex virus infections; a better dietary balance between thesetwo amino acids should help reduce the existing statistical differencein herpes recurrence.

3. Glutathione (GSH) and Selenium (Se²⁺)—In vitro studies show thatintracellular, endogenous, reduced GSH levels are significantly andimmediately decreased in the first 24 hours after herpes virus invasion.This dramatic cellular depletion emphasizes the importance of GSH in thehost cell's defense against the virus. Supplementation with exogenousGSH not only restored intracellular levels almost to those found inuninfected cells, but also inhibited over 99% of the replication ofHSV-1. Although, GSH interferes with the late replication stages of theHSV-1 cycle, it does not disturb normal cellular metabolism.

Human GSH levels cannot be raised directly by supplementaladministration in the diet. GSH is produced intracellularly fromprecursor amino acids including glycine and cysteine. One GSH precursor,N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)—a high endogenous thiol in redox status—hasitself been found to possess antiviral antioxidative effectiveness. Thisstudy suggested that a high thiol redox status may contribute to theapparent barrier function of endothelial cells with respect to viralinfection (in this case, cytomegalovirus) and that oxidative stress mayfacilitate infection of the vascular wall. In fact, the activity ofantioxidants such as glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase andCu—Zn superoxide dismutase appear to be reduced in the lacrimal fluid ofpatients with herpes simplex keratitis and are altered during the activephase of the disease. Impaired inhibition of the hydroxyl radical and adrop of antioxidant activities in herpes-infected cornea and tearsappear to be factors in the pathogenesis of ophthalmic herpes. The traceelement Zn²⁺, plays an important, if indirect, role here because itfunction as a cofactor for the Se²⁺-dependent protective enzymeglutathione peroxidase.

4. Quercetin—In an in vitro cell culture study, the naturally occurringflavanol 3,3 ′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone (quercetin) caused aconcentration-dependent reduction of infectivity of a number of viruses,including HSV-1. In addition, it reduced intracellular viralreplication. This activity may be related to the ability of quercetin toincrease non-protein -SH compounds (important anti-oxidant agents) andincrease glutathione peroxidase activity. Yield reduction studies (chickembryo fibroblasts) reveal that quercetin acts synergistically withacyclovir and with 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine to enhance the HSV-1 andHSV-2 antiviral activity of these widely used clinicallypharmaceuticals.

5. Ascorbate, ascorbic acid and Copper (Cu²⁺)—Impaired inhibition ofhydroxyl radicals and reduced levels of ascorbic acid in the corneae andtears of herpes-infected eyes are factors in the pathogenesis ofophthalmic herpes. Suspensions of HSV have been inactivated bycopper-catalyzed sodium ascorbate. Although inactivation of herpessimplex virus can be achieved by Cu²⁺ used alone, this effect isenhanced by the addition of ascorbate. One study mentions that a topicalpaste consisting solely of vitamin C was effective in the treatment ofHSV lesions.

6. Zinc (Zn²⁺)—Zinc sulfate inactivates free herpes simplex virus. Zn²⁺inactivation of the virus lessens after several passes, but this partialresistance of the virus eventually disappears. (In contrast, resistanceto acyclovir is complete and irreversible after a single pass.)Consistent with this in vitro evidence of the persistence of zinc'sinhibitory effect on HSV, is the finding that long-term, topicalapplication of Zn²⁺ greatly reduces or eliminates recurrences of genitalherpes. Even low concentrations of zinc, prevented recurrent herpessimplex. These direct contact effects of zinc on HSV reflect andcomplement the systemic importance of Zn²⁺ in global immune systemmaintenance. For example: in rabbits Zn²⁺ plays a vital role inmaintaining immunocompetence. Humoral and cellular immunity aredepressed in the Zn²⁺-deficient rabbit. Epithelial and stromal HSVkeratitis are more severe in the Zn²⁺-deficient rabbit and theseconditions are not improved by local Zn²⁺ replacement used alone (zincsulfate ointment). This treatment failure highlights the necessity ofmaintaining a healthy underlying immune system in resisting HSV and theimportant involvement of dietary Zn²⁺ in maintaining that immunity.

7. Magnesium (Mg⁺²)—The recommended daily allowance of ionic Mg⁺² forhumans is 350 mg. Mg⁺² deficiencies have been documented in manysegments of the world population. It is estimated that the average adultin Western society has a dietary magnesium shortfall of 90-178 mg perday. Mg⁺² deficiencies are particularly prevalent among diabetics withnormal renal function, alcoholics, smokers, the elderly, and those whosuffer from a variety of gastrointestinal mobility disorders.

Ionic Mg⁺² in mammals resides in three compartments: (1) in bone; (2) inan intracellular bound form or in an intracellular unbound form; and (3)in circulating bound and unbound forms. When the concentration ofcirculating Mg⁺² in the bloodstream increases as a result of the dietaryuptake of Mg+², the body quickly responds by sequestering the Mg⁺² intoone of the bound or intracellular forms listed above. If elemental Mg⁺²is ingested in a bulk amount that results in the absorption of a Mg⁺²bolus in excess of 8 mEq, the renal excretion of Mg⁺² rapidly increasesand, as a result, becomes less efficient in the resorption of thiselement. Thus the accurate sustenance of an appropriate Mg⁺² levelrequires the repeated administration of carefully designed Mg+2-containing medicaments with correctly formulated, absorption targetedamounts.

Among other functions, Mg⁺² and Cu+² deficiencies impair antioxidantdefenses through decreased synthesis of GSH and reduced activity of CuZnsuperoxide dismutase, respectively. Mg⁺² deficiencies enhance generaloxidative stress levels by permitting elevated circulating levels offactors that promote free radical generation and which are mitogenic.This results in increased tissue necrosis in the presence of acute locallevels of active oxygen species or hydroxyl radicals.

7. Heparin Sodium—Heparan sulfate is a primary receptor for viral fusionwith the host cell. Very low doses of sodium heparin bind competitivelywith host cell surface heparan sulfate receptors and thus inhibit thevery earliest stages of virion fusion. In addition, heparin sodiummobilizes fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) by releasing it from itsbound status to heparan sulfate. bFGF is a potent mediator ofinflammatory angiogenesis fundamental to lesion repair. The effectivedoses of heparin sodium required for these activities are greatly lowerthan those necessary for anticoagulant purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Although several in vitro and in vivo studies appear to support theantiviral effectiveness of individual biofactors, almost universally thestudies focus upon attempts to measure the effect of the application ofsingle biofactors, i.e., the effectiveness of each biofactor usedindependently as measured against a single physiological endpoint.

The invention resides in a unique, orchestrated pharmaceuticalformulation for use in the treatment of HSV-1 and HSV-2 that takesadvantage of the additive and synergistic antiviral complementarity ofthese biofactors in a variety of applications and makes these specificformulations available in a variety of dosage forms.

The present treatment of HSV infected or exposed patients with cytotoxicdrugs is imprecisely effective—i.e., 1) While these drugs may beclinically effective in reducing active epithelial disease they are noteffective in treating corneal stromal disease. 2) For a variety ofreasons it is not presently practical to treat patients prophylacticallybetween recrudescent episodes of viral activity. Furthermore, currenttreatment is expensive and involves the use of admittedly cytotoxicagents. In a broader failure, current treatment programs focus almostexclusively upon the topical treatment of acutely infected tissue whileignoring the global, complex, metabolic and immunological cellularenvironment within which the disease process operates.

This invention takes a different approach entirely. By combining avariety of agents that have been shown individually to have antiviralactivity at a variety of the required nodal steps in the invasiveinterplay between the HSV virion and the host cell, this inventionaddresses the more expansive physiological stage upon which thispathological activity occurs. Furthermore, the agents used in theinvention have not been shown to have any cytotoxicity when used inappropriate dose levels, they are inexpensive and can be usedprophylactically without concern for any significant development ofviral resistance. Unlike current treatment methods the invention will beeffective against stromal HSV infection and will reduce viral rates ofrecurrence. The invention will not replace current therapy for activeHSV infection. It will, however, reduce clinical requirements forpresent therapies by minimizing therapeutic failure, thus reducingmorbidity and recrudescence.

The combined complementary activities of the elements of the inventionreduce HSV infection by:

1. Retarding infected host cell clumping by reducing surfaceglycoprotein. This reduction of cell clumping mechanically interfereswith virion-host cell fusion and interferes with cell-to-cell spread.(2-deoxy-D-glucose)

2. Retarding virion-host cell fusion physiologically by reducing levelsof glycoprotein gB carbohydrate and, thus, reducing virus infectivity.(2-deoxy-D-glucose)

3. Modifying the host-cell immunomodulation abilities and thus improvingexisting statistical differences in herpes recurrence rates betweenpatients with dietary L-arginine/L-lysine imbalances. (L-lysine)

4. Improving host-cell defenses by increasing endogenous reduced-GSHlevels. Maintenance of GSH levels interferes with late-stage replicationof HSV-1. (Se²⁺, NAC)

5. Improving local host-cell antiviral antioxidative effectiveness byreducing local levels of hydroxyl radicals involved in the pathogenesisof ophthalmic herpes. This improves local tissue survival by counteringhigh levels of free radical damage. (Se ²⁺)

6. Increasing host-cell levels of antioxidant thiols and glutathioneperoxidase and, in addition, providing synergistic anti-replicativeactivity in conjunction with acyclovir and deoxyuridine. (quercetin,NAC)

7. Inactivating viral replication and reducing host-cell levels ofhydroxyl radicals. (Cu²⁺, ascorbate—alone or, more effectively, incombination)

8. Locally inactivating HSV without creating long-term resistance andconcurrently ensuring adequate immune system stability. (Zn²⁺)

9. Inhibiting primary virus fusion by blocking access to the heparansulfate receptor and improving lesion healing by stimulating bFGFmediated reparative angiogenesis. (heparin sodium)

10. Inhibiting viral DNA synthesis and thus reducing viral replication.(2-deoxy-D-glucose)

In vitro studies or limited clinical evaluations have shown each ofthese biofactors to have some antiviral activity when used alone. Theyhave not before been united in appropriately designed multi-factorformulations available in a variety of delivery vehicles or modes. Theinvention is unique in providing this new, safe, effective andinexpensive addition to current therapeutic options, thereby improvingthe potential for success in treating a worldwide disease with severemorbidity, and in neonates, severe mortality potential.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Definitions

All terms appearing in this specification and the appended claims areused in the same manner as commonly recognized among those skilled inthe technology and terminology of pharmacology. These terms aretherefore used in accordance with their conventional definitions, exceptas otherwise noted. Further clarifications of some of these terms asthey apply specifically to this invention are offered below.

“Unit dosage form” refers to a composition intended for a singleadministration to treat a subject suffering from a disease or medicalcondition. Each unit dosage form typically comprises each of the activeingredients of this invention plus pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients. Examples of unit dosage forms are individual tablets,individual capsules, bulk powders, liquid solutions, ointments, creams,eye drops, suppositories, emulsions or suspensions. Treatment of thedisease or condition may require periodic administration of unit dosageforms, for example: one unit dosage form two or more times a day, onewith each meal, one every four hours or other interval, or only one perday. The expression “oral unit dosage form” indicates a unit dosage formdesigned to be taken orally.

An “active agent” or “active ingredient” is a component of a dosage formthat performs a biological function when administered or induces oraffects (enhances or inhibits) a physiological process in some manner.“Activity” is the ability to perform the function, or to induce oraffect the process. Active agents and ingredients are distinguishablefrom excipients such as carriers, vehicles, diluents, lubricants,binders, buffers and other formulating aids, and encapsulating orotherwise protective components.

“Delivery vehicle” is a composition, which comprises one or more activeagents, and is designed to release the active agent in a particularfashion, either by immediately dispersing the agents, or by releasingthe agents in a slow sustained fashion. The term encompasses porousmicrospheres, microcapsules, cross-linked porous beads, and liposomesthat contain one or more active ingredients sequestered within internalcavities or porous spaces. The term also includes osmotic deliverysystems, coated tablets or capsules that include nonporous microspheres,microcapsules, and liposomes, and active agents dispersed withinpolymeric matrices. A dosage form can include one or more deliveryvehicles.

“Controlled” or “sustained” or “time release” delivery are equivalentterms that describe the type of active agent delivery that occurs whenthe active agent is released from a delivery vehicle at an ascertainableand manipulatable rate over a period of time, which is generally on theorder of minutes, hours or days, typically ranging from about thirtyminutes to about 3 days, rather than being dispersed immediately uponentry into the digestive tract or upon contact with gastric fluid. Acontrolled release rate can vary as a function of a multiplicity offactors. Factors influencing the rate of delivery in controlled releaseinclude the particle size, composition, porosity, charge structure, anddegree of hydration of the delivery vehicle and the activeingredient(s), the acidity of the environment (either internal orexternal to the delivery vehicle), and the solubility of the activeagent in the physiological environment, i.e., the particular locationalong the digestive tract.

“Targeted” or “site-specific” delivery means that the pharmaceuticalpreparation is formulated to limit the release of its contents in anamount appropriate to the site where release occurs. The term refers inparticular to the active agent, whose site-specific delivery implementsthe performance of the therapeutic function at a specific site withinthe body of the subject to whom the preparation is administered.

The phrase “therapeutically effective amount” means an amount sufficientto produce a therapeutic result. Generally the therapeutic result is anobjective or subjective improvement of a disease or condition, achievedby inducing or enhancing a physiological process, blocking or inhibitinga physiological process, or in general terms performing a biologicalfunction that helps in or contributes to the elimination or abatement ofthe disease or condition.

The phrase “substantially homogeneous,” when used to describe aformulation (or portion of a formulation) that contains a combination ofcomponents, means that the components, although each may be in particleor powder form, are fully mixed so that the individual components arenot divided into discrete layers or form concentration gradients withinthe formulation.

Composition, Formulations and Dosages

A: Oral Dosage Forms

The amounts of the eight primary components of the oral dosage form ofthe pharmaceutical preparation of this invention can vary, although inpreferred preparations the components are present in amounts lyingwithin certain ranges. Expressed in terms of milligrams the componentsand their preferred ranges may be as follows:

TABLE I Dosage in milligrams % in bi-layered Component Preferred MostPreferred Immed. Sustain. 2-amino-2-de-   75 to 2500  250 to 1500 40-60%balance oxy-D-glucose L-lysine monohydro-  150 to 5000  500 to 2000040-60% balance chloride N-acetyl-L-cysteine   80 to 4000  200 to 120040-60% balance L-selenomethionine 0.05 to 1.0 0.124 to 0.500 100%D-alpha-tocopherol   15 to 1600  50 to 800 40-60% balance Quercetin  6.0to 300  20 to 120 40-60% balance Magnesium ascorbate   80 to 3300  270to 1350 40-60% balance Copper sulfate  0.4 to 14 1.0 to 8.0 100% Zincpicolinate  7.0 to 380  24 to 150 40-60% balance

For magnesium ascorbate in Table I, the following may be substituted:

magnesium L-acetylcysteinate in the range of about 80 mg to about 3300mg, magnesium 2,N-thioctylcysteinate in the range of about 56 mg toabout 2800 mg, magnesium 2,N-thioctyltaurate in the range of about 50 mgto about 2500 mg, magnesium taurate in the range of about 80 mg to about3400 mg, magnesium acetate in the range of about 175 mg about 5800 mg,magnesium citrate in the range of about 32 mg to about 1610 mg,magnesium oxide in the range of about 50 mg to abut 1600 mg.

For N-acetyl-L-cysteine in Table I, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylatemay be substituted in the range of about 80 mg to about 4000 mg.

For zinc picolinate in Table I, the following may be substituted: zincsulfate in the range of about 3.7 mg to about 198 mg, zinc dinicotinatein the range of about 7.1 mg to about 380 mg, zinc ascorbate in therange of about 9.5 mg to about 500 mg, zinc L-acetylcysteinate in therange of about 9 mg to about 480 mg, zinc L-lysinate in the range ofabout 8 mg to about 435 mg.

For copper sulfate in Table I, the following may be substituted: copperL-cetylcysteinate in the range of about 1 mg to about 30 mg.

A slower, more sustained release of the active agents can be achieved byplacing the active agents in one or more delivery vehicles thatinherently retard the release rate. Examples of such delivery vehiclesare polymeric matrices that maintain their structural integrity for aperiod of time prior to dissolving, or that resist dissolving in thestomach but are readily made available in the post-gastric environmentby the alkalinity of the intestine, or by the action of metabolites andenzymes that are present only in the intestine. The preparation and useof polymeric matrices designed for sustained drug release is well known.Examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,714 (Aug. 24, 1993) toWallace etal.; Bechtel, W., Radiology 161: 601-604 (1986); and Tice etal., EPO 0302582, Feb. 8, 1989. Selection of the most appropriatepolymeric matrix for a particular formulation can be governed by theintended use of the formulation. Preferred polymeric matrices arehydrophilic, water-swellable polymers such as hydroxymethylcellulose,hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose,hydroxymethylpropylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, and porous bioerodibleparticles prepared from alginate and chitosan that have been ionicallycrosslinked.

A delayed, post-gastric, prolonged release of the active ingredients inthe small intestine (duodenum, ileum, jejunum) can also be achieved byencasing the active agents, or by encasing hydrophilic, water-swellablepolymers containing the active agents, in an enteric (acid-resistant)film. One class of acid-resistant agents suitable for this purpose isthat disclosed in Eury et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,774 (“BlockedPolymeric Particles Having Internal Pore Networks for Delivering ActiveSubstances to Selected Environments”). The formulations disclosed inthis patent consist of porous particles whose pores contain an activeingredient and a polymer acting as a blocking agent that degrades andreleases the active ingredient upon exposure to either low or high pH orto changes in ionic strength. The most effective enteric materialsinclude polyacids having a pK_(a) of from about 3 to 5. Examples of suchmaterials are fatty acid mixtures, methacrylic acid polymers andcopolymers, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate phthalates. Specificexamples are methacrylic acid copolymers sold under the name EUDRAGIT®,available from Rohm Tech, Inc., Maiden, Mass., USA; and the celluloseacetate phthalate latex AQUATERIC®, available from FMC Corporation, NewYork, N.Y., USA, and similar products available from Eastman-Kodak Co.,Rochester, N.Y., USA.

Acid-resistant films of these types are particularly useful in confiningthe release of components post-gastric environment. Acid-resistant filmscan be applied as coatings over individual particles of the componentsof the formulation, with the coated particles then optionally compressedinto tablets. An acid-resistant film can also be applied as a layerencasing an entire tablet or a portion of a tablet where each tablet isa single unit dosage form.

The oral dosage forms of the invention optionally include one or moresuitable and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, such as ethylcellulose, cellulose acetate phthalates, mannitol, lactose, starch,magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, talcum, glucose, sucrose,carbonate, and the like. These excipients serve a variety of functions,as indicated above, as carriers, vehicles, diluents, binders, and otherformulating aids. In general, the dosage forms of this invention includepowders, liquid forms, tablets or capsules.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the oral dosage form is asubstantially homogeneous single layer tablet that releases all of itscomponents into the stomach upon ingestion. In certain other embodimentsof the invention, the oral dosage form is a combination tablet in whichthe components are divided into two portions: one that is fully releasedinto the stomach upon ingestion, and the other protected by anacid-resistant coating for release only in the intestine, and optionallyin a sustained-release manner over a period of time.

The oral dosage forms of this invention can be formulated foradministration at rates of either one unit dosage form per day, or twoor more. Unit dosage forms to be taken two to four times per day arepreferred.

Examples 1 through 7 are offered for purposes of illustration only.

EXAMPLE 1

A single layer tablet, substantially homogeneous in composition, whichwill disintegrate upon ingestion to provide simultaneous accessibilityto all components, is prepared with the following composition:

TABLE II Weight % Weight (mg) Components Magnesium L-Ascorbate 11.45%427.76 L-Selenomethionine 0.002% 0.08 L-Lysine monohydrochloride 32.11%1200.00 Copper sulfate 0.07% 2.51 Zinc Picolinate 3.84% 143.372-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 6.02% 225.00 N-Acetyl-L-cysteine 18.73% 700.00Quercetin 1.87% 70.00 Excipients Magnesium Stearate 0.75% 28.15 Starch25.15% 940.00

The tablet is coated with a coating that dissolves in an aqueousenvironment. Examples of such a coating are SURELEASE and OPADRY (bothavailable from Colorcon, West Point, Pa., USA).

The tablet is made by weighing and mixing all ingredients together in atwin-shell blender, granulating either by roller compaction and millingor by a wet granulation process, and feeding the mixture into ahigh-speed, rotary tablet press. The starch is a tablet binder, forwhich lactose can be substituted if desired.

EXAMPLE 2

This example illustrates a dual layer tablet, with each layersubstantially homogeneous in composition, including an immediate releaselayer that disintegrates in the stomach to provide simultaneousaccessibility to all of the immediate release components and acontrolled release layer that remains intact until reaching theintestine where it provides accessibility to all of its components. Thetablet is prepared with the following composition:

TABLE III BI-LAYER TABLET Weight % Weight (mg) 49% CONTROLLED RELEASEComponents Magnesium L-Ascorbate 11.1% 213.88 L-α-Tocopherol 8.2% 157.58L-lysine monohydrochloride 28.5% 550.00 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 7.8%150.00 N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 15.5% 300.00 Quercetin 1.8% 35.00 ExcipientsMagnesium Stearate 0.81% 15.6 Polymer (H20 Sol, Cellulose) 26.40% 510ACID RESISTANT FILM 51% IMMEDIATE RELEASE Components MagnesiumL-Ascorbate 10.7% 213.88 L-Selenomethionine 0.004% 0.08 D/L α-Tocopherol7.9% 157.58 L-Lysine 27.6% 550.00 Copper sulfate 0.2% 4.40 ZincPicolinate 4.3% 86.02 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 7.5% 150.00N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 12.6% 250.00 Quercetin 1.9% 37.00 ExcipientsMagnesium Stearate 0.79% 15.64 Starch 26.4% 525.00 AQUEOUS FILM

The controlled release layer comprises 49% by weight of the tablet andhas An acid-resistant coating separating it from the immediate releaselayer. The immediate Release layer comprises 51% by weight of the tabletand has a coating that dissolves in an aqueous environment.

Ingredients for each layer are fed into appropriate hoppers of atwo-layer, rotary tablet press, and compressed into two-layer tablets.The magnesium stearate present in both layers provides lubrication ofthe tablet press and serves as a minimal source of magnesium in theformulation. Selenium may be added as a spray.

Upon oral ingestion of the tablet, agents of the immediate release layerdissolve rapidly in the stomach and are available for immediateabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The polymer matrix of thecontrolled release layer, having been given an enteric coating in thegranulation process with EUDRAGIT, does not dissolve in the acid pH ofthe stomach, but remains intact until it passes to the upper part of thesmall intestine, where the enteric coating dissolves in the morealkaline environment of the intestine. The polymeric matrix thenimmediately begins to imbibe water from the intestinal fluid, forming awater-swollen gel. The agents incorporated into this layer are thenavailable for intestinal absorption as they osmotically diffuse from thegel. Since the agents have been selected with a view toward their watersolubilities, the rate of diffusion of each agent is reasonably constantfor the useful life of the matrix (approximately four hours), by whichtime the incorporated agents are finally depleted and the matrixdisintegrates.

B. Ophthalmic Dosage Forms

The ophthalmic dosage forms include solutions and suspensions preparedfor use as eye drops to provide immediate therapeutic levels of theformulation and ophthalmic ointments designed to provide slower releaserates or for use at bedtime.

EXAMPLE 3

1. Eye drop—The eye drop dosage form of the invention will optionallyinclude one or more suitable and pharmaceutically acceptable inactiveexcipients, including but not limited to: preservatives from a groupincluding benzalkonium chloride, methylparaben, edetate disodium,thimersol, chlorbutanol; buffers from a group including sodium citrate,potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium acetate, citric acid,sodium lactate; vehicles from a group including polyvinyl alcohol,hydroxy methylcellulose, cetyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose,hydroxy-propylenemethyl cellulose; pH adjusters from a group includingsulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, monosodium ordisodium phosphate; purified water USP; poloxamer 407 or 188,polysorbate 80; polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene compound; mineral oilUSP and similar products.

The above inactive excipients serve a variety of functions as carriers,vehicles, diluents, binders, preservatives, buffers, pH adjusters,emulsifiers and other formulating aids as briefly listed above and arecurrently in wide use in ophthalmic pharmaceutical products manufacturedunder GMP standards.

The eye drop dosage form of this invention can be formulated foradministration at a rate of one unit dosage form daily or two or moreunit dosage forms four times daily. A unit dosage form taken three tofour times per day is preferred.

The amounts of the seven primary components of the eye drop dosage formof this invention can vary, although in preferred preparations thecomponents are present in amounts lying within certain ranges.

A solution for use as an eye drop for delivering all componentssimultaneously, is prepared with the following composition:

TABLE IV Ophthalmic Solution Components Ascorbic acid 0.64% L-lysinehydrochloride 0.60% Zinc Sulfate 0.04% Copper Sulfate 0.06%N-Acetyl-L-cysteine 0.60% 2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 0.38% USP units/mLHeparin sodium 1.60 Excipients Polyvinyl alcohol, sulfated 1.00%Polyethylene glycol 0.50% Benzalkonium chloride 0.004%

EXAMPLE 4

2. Ointment—An ophthalmic ointment dosage form for more prolongeddelivery of the formulation or for use at bedtime will optionallyinclude one or more suitable and pharmaceutically acceptable inactiveexcipients, including but not limited to: chlorbutanol, polyethylenemineral oil gel, white petrolatum USP, mineral oil USP, petrolatum andlanolin alcohol, purified water USP, polyvinyl alcohol gel and similarproducts.

The above excipients serve a variety of functions as carriers, vehicles,diluents, binders, preservatives, buffers, pH adjusters, emulsifiers andother formulating aids and are currently in wide use in pharmaceuticalproducts manufactured under GMP standards.

The ointment dosage forms of this invention can be formulated foradministration at rates of one unit dosage form daily or two or moreunit dosage forms four times daily. Unit dosage forms to be used onetime per day at bedtime or three times per day are preferred.

The amounts of the eight primary components of the ophthalmic ointmentdosage form of this invention can vary, although in preferredpreparations the components are present in amounts lying within certainranges.

TABLE V Ophthalmic Ointment Components Ascorbic acid 0.80% L-lysinehydrochloride 0.74% Zinc Sulfate 0.05% Copper Sulfate 0.08%N-Acetyl-L-cysteine 0.75% 2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 0.48% Quercetin0.24% USP units/mL Heparin sodium 2.00    Excipients Polyvinyl alcohol,sulfated 0.05% Mineral oil 30%     White petrolatum 45%    

EXAMPLE 5

C. Buccal Mucosal Dosage Forms

This dosage form includes solutions and suspensions prepared for use forapplication to the buccal mucosa to provide immediate therapeutic levelsof the formulation.

The buccal mucosa dosage form of the invention will optionally includeone or more suitable and pharmaceutically acceptable inactiveexcipients, including but not limited to: preservatives from a groupincluding benzalkonium chloride, methylparaben, edetate disodium,thimersol, chlorbutanol; buffers from a group including sodium citrate,potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium acetate, citric acid,sodium lactate; vehicles from a group including polyvinyl alcohol,hydroxy methylcellulose, cetyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose,hydroxy-propylenemethyl cellulose; pH adjusters from a group includingsulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, monosodium ordisodium phosphate; purified water USP; poloxamer 407 or 188,polysorbate 80; polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene compound; mineral oilUSP and similar products.

The above inactive excipients serve a variety of functions as carriers,vehicles, diluents, binders, preservatives, buffers, pH adjusters,emulsifiers and other formulating aids as briefly listed above and arecurrently in wide use in pharmaceutical products manufactured under GMPstandards.

The buccal mucosa dosage form of this invention can be formulated foradministration at a rate of one unit dosage form daily or two or moreunit dosage forms four times daily. A unit dosage form taken three tofour times per day is preferred.

The amounts of the seven primary components of the buccal mucosal dosageform of this invention can vary, although in preferred preparations thecomponents are present in amounts lying within certain ranges.

A solution for delivering all components simultaneously to the buccalmucosa, is prepared with the following composition:

TABLE VI Buccal Mucosal Solution Components Ascorbic acid 0.88% L-lysinehydrochloride 0.82% Zinc Sulfate 0.06% Copper Sulfate 0.09%N-Acetyl-L-cysteine 0.83% 2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 0.52% USP units/mLHeparin sodium 2.20 Excipients Polyvinyl alcohol, sulfated 1.00%Polyethylene glycol 0.50% Benzalkonium chloride 0.004%

EXAMPLE 6

D. Dermatological Dosage Forms

Dosage forms of the invention for use in the topical treatment ofcutaneous manifestations of HSV infections are prepared in a variety offorms including ointments, gels and creams. These preparationsoptionally include one or more of the following suitable andpharmaceutically acceptable excipients: isopropyl myristate NF,trolamine NF, SD alcohol 40 (20%), white petrolatum USP, lanolinalcohols NF, mineral oil USP, polyvinyl alcohol gel, cetostearyl alcoholNF, lactic acid USP, calcium stearate, dextran, polyoxyl 40 stearate,methylparaben, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyethyleneglycol (PEG) base, synthetic beeswax (B wax), calcium acetate, purifiedwater USP and similar products.

The above excipients serve a variety of functions as carriers, vehicles,diluents, binders, preservatives, buffers, pH adjusters, emulsifiers andother formulating aids and are currently in wide use in dermatologicalpharmaceutical products manufactured under GMP standards.

The dermatological dosage forms of this invention can be formulated foradministration at rates of one unit dosage form daily or one unit dosageform six times daily. A unit dosage form used three to four times perday is preferred.

The amounts of the nine primary components of this dosage form of theinvention can vary, although in preferred preparations the componentsare present in amounts lying within certain ranges.

TABLE VII Dermatologic Dosage Form Components Ascorbic acid 1.20%D-α-Tocopherol 1.62% L-lysine hydrochloride 1.12% Zinc Sulfate 0.08%Copper Sulfate 0.12% N-Acetyl-L-cysteine 1.13% 2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose0.71% Quercetin 0.36% USP units/mL Heparin sodium 3.00    ExcipientsPolyvinyl alcohol, sulfated 1.00% Benzyl alcohol 5.00% Polyethyleneglycol 0.50% White petrolatum 45%    

EXAMPLE 7

E. Vaginal Dosage Forms

Dosage forms of the invention for local use in treating female genitalmanifestations of HSV infections, especially HSV-2, are prepared indosage forms for vaginal insertion including vaginal suppositories, gelsand tablets. These preparations optionally may include one or more ofthe following suitable and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients,including but not limited to: isopropyl myristate NF, mineral oil USP,stearyl alcohol NF, benzoic acid USP, pegoxyl 7 stearate, methylparaben,propylparaben, propylene glycol, butylated hydroxyanisole, coconut orpalm kernel oil triglycerides, polysorbate 60 or polysorbate 8, peglicol5, PEG-100 stearate and sorbitan monostearate, calcium lactate,hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polysaccharide carrageenan corn starch,lactose, calcium lactate, silicon dioxide and purified water USP, amongothers.

The above excipients serve a variety of functions as carriers, vehicles,diluents, binders, preservatives, buffers, pH adjusters, emulsifiers andother formulating aids and are currently in use in vaginalpharmaceutical products manufactured under GMP standards.

The vaginal dosage form of this invention can be formulated foradministration at rates of one unit dosage form daily or one unit dosageform twice daily. A unit dosage form to be used one time per day ispreferred.

The amounts of the eight primary components of the vaginal dosage formof this invention can vary, although in preferred preparations thecomponents are present in amounts lying within certain ranges.

TABLE VIII Vaginal Dosage Form Components Ascorbic acid 1.04% L-Lysinehydrochloride 0.97% Zinc Sulfate 0.07% Copper Sulfate 0.10%N-Acetyl-L-cysteine 0.98% 2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 0.62% Quercetin0.31% USP units/mL Heparin sodium 2.60    Excipients Polyvinyl alcohol,sulfated 0.05% Mineral Oil 30%     White petrolatum 45%    

Methods of Administration and Types of Utility

The compositions and dosage forms of the invention are useful fortreating HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections of epithelial-derived tissuesincluding but not limited to the eye, genitals, and mouth, etc., whetherof mucous membrane or dermal origin. The individual formulations consistof orchestrated groups of complementary biofactors that haveinterlocking antiviral activities. Each functional biofactor has anidentifiable and individual antiviral activity which acts against thevirus at a different locus of fusion, invasion or replication, which sumwith one another to provide the total antiviral activity of theorchestrated formulation: i.e., prevention of virion fusion with thecell to be invaded, interruption of viral DNA replication, improvementof cellular immunomodulation, restoration of endogenous antioxidantpotency, etc. However, in some formulations biofactors are incorporatedto work not additively, but synergistically, to provide a leveragedtherapeutic effect, i.e., although individually Cu²⁺ and ascorbic acideach negatively influence invasive viruses, when combined they create asynergistic anti-viral effect. Still other biofactors may be includedwhich act synergistically with current cytotoxic drugs (i.e., quercetinwith acyclovir or with deoxyuridine). As a result, when the invention isused, the chosen array of carefully selected biofactors function incomplementarity and the combined anti-viral result is potent and unique.At the same time, toxic side effects, high drug costs and thedevelopment of viral resistance (a recognized problem with the use ofacyclovir at least) are avoided.

The invention is not designed to replace current therapeusis for HSV.Its clinical use will reduce recurrence rates and the severity ofinfection, and will reduce reliance upon present drugs. It is designedto create a biological environment in which the opportunity for successwith present and future therapies will be increased, the possibility forfailure reduced.

As is apparent, both oral dosage forms and topical dosage forms of theinvention are described. These dosage forms are designed to provideadequate therapeutic doses of formulation if used alone, or if used incombination, not to exceed appropriate therapeutic levels. This varietyof dosage forms and formulations will permit the advising physiciangreat latitude in tailoring for the patient appropriate intensities oftreatment for HSV disease at variable clinical levels of severity.

The foregoing is offered primarily for purposes of illustration. It willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the proportions,materials, formulation procedures, administration protocols and otherparameters of this invention may be further modified or substituted invarious ways without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising asactive ingredients: (a) a thiol-containing glutathione-increasing agenthaving the formula RMX  in which: R is a member selected from the groupconsisting of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate,N-2(-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, and L-lysine, M is a member selectedfrom the group consisting of Mg⁺², Cu⁺², Zn+², and Se+², and X is amember selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, sulfate,acetate, ascorbate, and bis-ascorbate; (b) an L-lysine-increasing agent,(c) a glucosamine-increasing agent, and (d) magnesium.
 2. A unit dosageform for the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions giving risethereto, said unit dosage form comprising as active ingredients: (a) athiol-containing glutathione-increasing agent having the formula RMg⁺²X in which: R is a member selected from the group consisting of cysteine,N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate,N-2(-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, and L-lysine, and X is a memberselected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, sulfate,phosphate, acetate, ascorbate, and bis-ascorbate; (b) anL-lysine-increasing agent, (c) a glucosamine-increasing agent, and (d)magnesium.
 3. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising asactive ingredients: (a) a thiol-containing glutathione-increasing agenthaving the formula RCu⁺²X  in which: R is a member selected from thegroup consisting of cysteine, acetylcysteine, N-acetyl-cysteine,L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, N-2(-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, andL-lysine, and X is a member selected from the group consisting ofhydroxide, halide, sulfate, phosphate, and acetate; (b) anL-lysine-increasing agent, (c) a glucosamine-increasing agent, and (d)magnesium.
 4. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising asactive ingredients: (a) a thiol-containing glutathione-increasing agent;(b) an L-lysine-increasing agent, (c) glucosamine-increasing agent, (d)magnesium, and (e) a complex having the formula RZn⁺²X  in which: R is amember selected from the group consisting of cysteine, acetylcysteine,N-acetyl-cysteine, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate,N-2(-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, and L-lysine, and X is a memberselected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, sulfate,phosphate, acetate, ascorbate, and bis-ascorbate.
 5. A unit dosage formfor the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto,said unit dosage form comprising as active ingredients: (a) athiol-containing glutathione-increasing agent; (b) anL-lysine-increasing agent, (c) a glucosamine-increasing agent, (d)magnesium, (e) copper, (f) zinc, and (g) selenium, at least one of (d),(e), (f), and (g) being in the form of a complex having the formulaR_(n)MX  in which: R is a member selected from the group consisting of2,N-thioctylcysteine, 2,N-thioctyllysine, and 2,N-thioctyltaurine, n is1 or 2, M is a member selected from the group consisting of Mg⁺², Cu⁺²,Zn⁺², and Se⁺², and X is a member selected from the group consisting ofhydroxide, halide, sulfate, acetate, ascorbate, and bis-ascorbate.
 6. Aunit dosage form in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 in which saidactive ingredients are formulated as a substantially homogeneous tabletthat releases all of said active ingredients into the stomach uponingestion for contact with gastric fluid.
 7. A unit dosage form inaccordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 in which: (a) said thiol-containingglutathione-increasing agent is N-acetyl-L-cysteine, (b) saidL-lysine-increasing agent is L-lysine monohydrochloride, (c) saidglucosamine-increasing agent is 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and (d) saidmagnesium is in the form of magnesium ascorbate.
 8. A unit dosage formin accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 in which: (a) said thiol-containingglutathione-increasing agent is N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount rangingfrom about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) said L-lysine-increasing agent isL-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg toabout 5000 mg, (c) said glucosamine-increasing agent is2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mg to about2500 mg, and (d) said magnesium is in the form of magnesium ascorbate inan amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg.
 9. A unit dosageform in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 in which: (a) saidthiol-containing glutathione-increasing agent is N-acetyl-L-cysteine inan amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) saidL-lysine-increasing agent is L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amountranging from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c) saidglucosamine-increasing agent is 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amountranging from about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, and (d) said magnesium is inthe form of magnesium ascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mg toabout 3300 mg, formulated as a substantially homogeneous tablet thatreleases all of said active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestionfor contact with gastric fluid.
 10. A unit dosage form in accordancewith claims 1, 2, or 3 in which: (a) said thiol-containingglutathione-increasing agent is N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount rangingfrom about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) said L-lysine-increasing agent isL-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg toabout 5000 mg, (c) said glucosamine-increasing agent is2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mg to about2500 mg, and (d) said magnesium is in the form of magnesium ascorbate inan amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, and said unitdosage form further comprises as an active ingredient quercetin in anamount ranging from about 6 mg to about 300 mg, said unit dosage formformulated as a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid.
 11. A unit dosage form in accordance with claim 1, 2, or3 in which: (a) said thiol-containing glutathione-increasing agent isN-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000mg, (b) said L-lysine-increasing agent is L-lysine monohydrochloride inan amount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c) saidglucosamine-increasiny agent is 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amountranging from about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, and (d) said magnesium is inthe form of magnesium ascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mg toabout 3300 mg, and said unit dosage form further comprises as an activeingredient selenomethionine in an amount ranging from about 0.04 mg toabout 1 mg said unit dosage form formulated as a substantiallyhomogeneous tablet that releases all of said active ingredients into thestomach upon ingestion for contact with gastric fluid.
 12. A unit dosageform in accordance with claims 1, 2, or 3 in which: (a) saidthiol-containing glutathione-increasing agent is N-acetyl-L-cysteine inan amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) saidL-lysine-increasing agent is L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amountranging from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c) saidglucosamine-increasing agent is 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amountranging from about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, and (d) said magnesium is inthe form of magnesium ascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mg toabout 3300 mg, and said unit dosage form further comprises as activeingredients quercetin in an amount ranging from about 6 mg to about 300mg and selenomethionine in an amount ranging from about 0.04 mg to about1 mg, said unit dosage form formulated as a substantially homogeneoustablet that releases all of said active ingredients into the stomachupon ingestion for contact with gastric fluid.
 13. A unit dosage formfor the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto,said unit dosage form comprising as active ingredients (a)L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate in an amount ranging from about 80 mgto about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount rangingfrom about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in anamount ranging from about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, and (d) magnesiumascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, saidunit dosage form formulated as a substantially homogeneous tablet thatreleases all of said active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestionfor contact with gastric fluid.
 14. A unit dosage form for the treatmentof herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosageform comprising as active ingredients (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in anamount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysinemonohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mgto about 2500 mg, and (d) magnesium L-acetylcysteinate in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, said unit dosage formformulated as a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid.
 15. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpessimplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage formcomprising as active ingredients (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysinemonohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mgto about 2500 mg, and (d) magnesium 2, N-thioctylcysteinate in an amountranging from about 56 mg to about 3300 mg, said unit dosage formformulated as a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid.
 16. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpessimplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage formcomprising as active ingredients (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysinemonohydtochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mgto about 2500 mg, and (d) magnesium 2, N-thioctyltaurate in an amountranging from about 50 mg to about 2500 mg., said unit dosage formformulated as a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid.
 17. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpessimplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage formcomprising as active ingredients (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysinemonohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mgto about 2500 mg, and (d) magnesium taurate in an amount ranging fromabout 80 mg to about 3400 mg. said unit dosage form formulated as asubstantially homogeneous tablet that releases all of said activeingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact with gastricfluid.
 18. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising asactive ingredients (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging fromabout 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in anamount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c)2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mg to about2500 mg, and (d) magnesium acetate in an amount ranging from about 175mg to about 5800 mg, said unit dosage form formulated as a substantiallyhomogeneous tablet that releases all of said active ingredients into thestomach upon ingestion for contact with 2astric fluid.
 19. A unit dosageform for the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions giving risethereto, said unit dosage form comprising as active ingredients (a)N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount rangingfrom about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, and (d) magnesium citrate in anamount ranging from about 32 mg to about 1610 mg, said unit dosage formformulated as a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid.
 20. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpessimplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage formcomprising as active ingredients (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysinemonohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mgto about2500 mg, and (d) magnesium oxide in an amount ranging from about50 mg to about 1600 mg, said unit dosage form formulated as asubstantially homogeneous tablet that releases all of said activeingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact with gastricfluid.
 21. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising thefollowing components as active ingredients in a substantiallyhomogeneous tablet that releases all of said active ingredients into thestomach upon ingestion for contact with gastric fluid: (a)N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount rangingfrom about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, and (e) zinc picolinate anamount ranging from about 7.1 mg to about 380 mg.
 22. A unit dosage formfor the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto,said unit dosage form comprising the following components as activeingredients in a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid: (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amountranging from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c)2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mg to about2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mgto about 3300 mg, and (e) copper sulfate in an amount ranging from about0.40 mg to about 14mg.
 23. A unit dosage form for the treatment ofherpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage formcomprising the following components as active ingredients in asubstantially homogeneous tablet that releases all of said activeingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact with gastricfluid: (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg toabout 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging fromabout 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in anamount ranging from about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, (d) magnesiumascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 m2 to about 3300 mg, (e)zinc picolinate in an amount ranging from about 7.1 mg to about 380 mg,and (f) copper sulfate in an amount ranging from about 0.40 mg to about14 mg.
 24. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising thefollowing components as active ingredients in a substantiallyhomogeneous tablet that releases all of said active ingredients into thestomach upon ingestion for contact with gastric fluid: (a)N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount rangingfrom about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, and (e) zinc sulfate in anamount ranging from about 3.7 mg to about 198 mg.
 25. A unit dosage formfor the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto,said unit dosage form comprising the following components as activeingredients in a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid: (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amountranging from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c)2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mg to about2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mgto about 3300 mg, and (e) zinc dinicotinate in an amount ranging fromabout 7.1 mg to about 380 mg.
 26. A unit dosage form for the treatmentof herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosageform comprising the following components as active ingredients in asubstantially homogeneous tablet that releases all of said activeingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact with gastricfluid: (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg toabout 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging fromabout 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in anamount ranging from about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, (d) magnesiumascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, and(e) zinc ascorbate in an amount ranging from about 9.5 mg to about 500mg.
 27. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising thefollowing components as active ingredients in a substantiallyhomogeneous tablet that releases all of said active ingredients into thestomach upon ingestion for contact with gastric fluid: (a)N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount rangingfrom about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, and (e) zincL-acetylcysteinate in an amount ranging from about 9.5 mg to about 480mg.
 28. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising thefollowing components as active ingredients in a substantiallyhomogeneous tablet that releases all of said active ingredients into thestomach upon ingestion for contact with gastric fluid: (a)N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount rangingfrom about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, and (e) zinc L-lysinate in anamount ranging from about 8 mg to about 435 mg.
 29. A unit dosage formfor the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto,said unit dosage form comprising the following components as activeingredients in a substantially homogeneous tablet that releases all ofsaid active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact withgastric fluid: (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amountranging from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c)2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mg to about2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mgto about 3300 mg, and (e) copper L-acetylcysteinate in an amount rangingfrom about 1 mg to about 30 mg.
 30. A unit dosage form for the treatmentof herpes simplex and conditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosageform comprising the following components as active ingredients in asubstantially homogeneous tablet that releases all of said activeingredients into the stomach upon ingestion for contact with gastricfluid: (a) N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg toabout 4000 mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging fromabout 150 mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in anamount ranging from about 75 mg to about 2500 mg, (d) magnesiumascorbate in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, (e)quercetin in an amount ranging from about 6 mg to about 300 mg, (f)selenomethionine in an amount ranging from about 0.05 mg to about 1 mg,and (g) zinc picolinate in an amount ranging from about 7.1 mg to about380 mg.
 31. A unit dosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex andconditions giving rise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising thefollowing components as active ingredients in a substantiallyhomogeneous,tablet that releases all of said active ingredients into thestomach upon ingestion for contact with gastric fluid: (a)N-acetyl-L-cysteine in an amount ranging from about 80 mg to about 4000mg, (b) L-lysine monohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150mg to about 5000 mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount rangingfrom about 75 mg to about2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 3300 mg, (e) quercetin in an amountranging from about 6 mg to about 300 mg, (f) selenomethionine in anamount ranging from about 0.05 mg to about 1 mg, and (g) copper sulfatein an amount ranging from about 0.40 mg to about 14.0 mg.
 32. A unitdosage form for the treatment of herpes simplex and conditions givingrise thereto, said unit dosage form comprising the following componentsas active ingredients in a substantially homogeneous tablet thatreleases all of said active ingredients into the stomach upon ingestionfor contact with gastric fluid: (a) N-acetvl-L-cysteine in an amountranging from about 80 mg to about 4000 mg, (b) L-lysinemonohydrochloride in an amount ranging from about 150 mg to about 5000mg, (c) 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose in an amount ranging from about 75 mgto about 2500 mg, (d) magnesium ascorbate in an amount ranging fromabout 80 mg to about 3300 mg, (e) quercetin in an amount ranging fromabout 6 mg to about 300 mg, (f) selenomethionine in an amount rangingfrom about 0.05 mg to about 1 mg, (g) zinc picolinate in an amountranging from about 7.1 mg to about 380 mg, and (h) copper sulfate in anamount ranging from about 0.40 mg to about 14.0 mg.